The NFL pokes fun at Daejon Love: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49779308/san-francisco-49ers-sports-teams-poke-fun-daejon-love-federal-charges


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IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00:00 Intro
00:01:27 Rundown
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00:25:40 Florida Primary Results
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As always, we want to hear from you. Send us a video @nativelandpod and we may feature you on the podcast.

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Money may look like a math problem, but Leah Collins sees something deeper.

As a financial coach and host of OWN’s “Maxxed Out,” Collins works with people whose spending habits, debt, relationship conflicts, and financial fears are often tied to emotions they learned long before adulthood. Through her work, she encourages people to examine the childhood experiences, relationship dynamics, and personal values that shape how they handle money. Financial empowerment, she said, is not only about earning more or budgeting better, but also about being honest about shame, fear, and avoidance. That honesty can help people make clearer decisions, build healthier relationships, and create financial lives that reflect their priorities.

Money is emotional before it is mathematical

For many people, financial decisions are tied to experiences that began long before adulthood. Collins said she sees that connection often in her work with clients, especially when early experiences with scarcity or instability continue to shape how they think about money.

“We all have what I call a financial blueprint, which is basically a money script that was written in childhood. If someone grew up in a household with scarcity or financial instability, even if they’re doing well now, their nervous system may not feel safe,” she told Native Land Pod. “I always compare my childhood to the show ‘Everybody Hates Chris.’ When it was time to go back to school, all the other kids were getting back-to-school clothes, but I wasn’t. I asked my mother why. She sat me down and showed me the family budget, and at the end of the month, we only had like $40 left, so I grew up with a lot of anxiety around money.”

That kind of history can make money feel difficult to discuss, especially for people who connect finances with stress, fear, or shame. Avoidance, however, can create its own consequences, from not checking bank accounts to overspending when more income comes in. In her work with clients, naming those patterns is part of helping people understand where their money habits began and how they can begin to change them.

Turning financial shame into empowerment

Many people are not taught how to talk about money, let alone how to work through the shame that can come with financial mistakes. In Collins’ own experience, changing that narrative started with confronting her embarrassment and deciding it did not have to define her.

“Your financial story doesn’t have to end just because you messed up. It starts when you decide to take control,” she said. “In 2017, I had finally broken into the six figures, and I was doing my taxes. I made all this money and was asking myself where it went. I was so embarrassed because I had nothing to show for it. That’s what started me on my journey to get out of debt.”

That moment became a turning point. She said it led her to pay off $40,000 in debt within 18 months and later helped her recognize the importance of financial compatibility in relationships.

“In 2020, I ended up calling my engagement off the month of the wedding due to financial incompatibility,” she said. “I understand what it feels like to be embarrassed, but once you can overcome that and start telling your story, so many people will be empowered and impacted.”

Building wealth around personal values

Every purchase reflects a choice, whether it covers a need, a responsibility or something that simply brings joy. The goal is not to shame people for spending, but to help them understand whether their money habits align with the life they say they want. That starts with identifying personal values and recognizing which expenses support them and which ones pull them further away.

“Your spending should reflect your values, not just your impulses,” Collins said. “One of the first things I do in every episode is I have people identify and write down their values, because that’s really the start of everything we build financially. My number one priority is time with my daughter. So I don’t invest in things that take away from that.”

She pointed to her own decision not to return to real estate as an example.

“I used to own real estate and thought about getting back into it,” she said. “The return on investment was great. Then I had to stop and remember those sleepless nights, drama, and drain of being a landlord, and how that would take time away from my kiddo. So I decided not to make that investment.”

That kind of self-awareness can help people avoid spending out of comparison, impulse, or pressure to keep up with others. Instead of treating every purchase as a reward or an emotional release, Collins encourages people to consider whether their spending aligns with their priorities. That may also mean choosing low-cost or free activities, such as exercise, watching a favorite show, or finding another form of rest that offers the same sense of relief as a “just for me” purchase.

When relationships reveal financial red flags

Financial compatibility is not limited to romantic relationships. Money can shape trust, communication, and decision-making among partners, relatives, and even people working together in business. That makes honest conversations about finances necessary, even when they are uncomfortable.

“Big financial red flags I see in relationships are completely avoiding money conversations, one partner controlling all of the finances, and financial infidelity, which is secret spending and debt,” Collins said. “Hiding those bags or Amazon packages coming through. Sometimes in relationships, one person wants to be the fixer and take on 100% of the financial burden, which can lead to resentment and lack of agency for the other. But at the end of the day, if your partner can’t talk about money, they’re not ready to build with you.”

Those conversations can bring up embarrassment, fear, or shame, but avoiding them can create deeper problems. In her work, she said part of helping clients move through those feelings is reminding them that they are not alone.

“When people say they’re embarrassed, scared, ashamed, or don’t want to be judged, I pivot and say, ‘Hey, I’ve been there. I’ve done that,’” she said. “We sit, and we talk to each other like friends. And I think that’s what sets me apart from other financial experts and helps me shut down those negative thoughts immediately.”

Why women need financial agency

Women continue to navigate financial pressures that affect how they earn, save, and advocate for themselves. Collins said those realities make it even more important for women to speak openly about money, especially in relationships where financial stability and long-term security are at stake.

“Finances touch every aspect of our lives, and we shouldn’t be made to feel guilty about wanting to talk about them,” she said. “So I think for women, it’s important for us to set those boundaries within the conversations we have with our partners. It doesn’t make sense to be able to discuss sex, but not financial stability.”

She also pointed to the financial vulnerability women can face when they step away from the workforce, particularly in marriages where they may not have their own resources to rely on if the relationship ends.

“I think a lot of women and husbands realize how much of a sacrifice stay-at-home moms make by not being a part of the workforce,” Collins said. “Or if they get divorced, how difficult it is to get alimony, especially if the judge determines that they’re fine, gives them little, and the cost of having to enforce it if their partner becomes difficult. So for any woman out of the workforce, make sure you have your own money, and you can leave well-off if things don’t work out.”

Financial empowerment often begins with telling the truth about money, even when that truth involves childhood anxiety, debt, shame, relationship conflict, or spending habits that no longer reflect a person’s values. Avoiding those conversations may feel easier in the moment, but silence can create deeper financial and emotional costs over time. Whether in romantic relationships, business partnerships, or family dynamics, honest conversations can help people make clearer decisions, set stronger boundaries, and build lives that reflect their priorities.

According to a November 2025 survey of 1,000 U.S. consumers conducted by Credit One Bank, 22% are not confident in their understanding of how credit scores are calculated, while 33% rely on online sources as their primary way of learning about credit. Less than 5% said they received that education in a classroom.

For Ohio-based credit advisor Ciera Frazier, those numbers underscore a crisis she has made it her mission to address. As founder and CEO of Rich Credit Academy and Frazier Consulting Services, she has spent years helping clients understand and leverage credit as a pathway to financial security. Through her businesses, she offers financial education and guidance to build and repair credit. She took a moment to talk with Native Land Pod about the value of credit.

Frazier said her own career path was shaped by what she witnessed while building investment accounts for major financial institutions.

“We had thousands of clients who were millionaires, very few of them were Black,” Frazier told Native Land Pod. “The clients who looked like us that came to get the same knowledge and access were being blackballed from it. That opened my eyes and made me start asking myself, ‘What’s the gap, and how do I help my people close it?’”

That realization led her to launch Rich Credit Academy, where she offers credit and business credit repair, credit counseling, and business coaching with a straightforward premise.

“If your credit isn’t right, you can’t access the things that actually build wealth, homes, business funding, leverage, none of it,” Frazier said. “My mindset was simple: I can help people fix their credit and unlock everything else.”

Frazier said credit’s impact extends beyond approvals and into long-term borrowing costs. She said credit can shape everything from loan approvals to interest rates and monthly payments. While someone may qualify for a home loan with a lower credit score, she said stronger credit can lead to better terms and lower long-term costs.

According to myFICO, credit scores are broken into five categories: 35% payment history, 30% amount owed, 15% length of credit history, 10% new credit, and 10% credit mix.

Frazier said one of the biggest misconceptions she sees among clients is the belief that credit repair happens overnight or that a score alone tells the full story. She said building strong credit also requires managing the overall profile, including utilization, payment history and account structure.

“Your profile matters more than your score,” she said. “I’ve seen people go up 150 to 200 points fast, but if they’re not building their credit, that score doesn’t do anything for them.”

She said another important piece of the conversation is understanding when debt is helping and when it is doing the opposite.

“Credit card debt only makes sense if it’s helping you build wealth,” Frazier said. “If you’re using credit to build your profile, invest in a business or buy assets like homes, that’s strategic. But it becomes a trap when you’re using it for things that don’t add any value, like vacations. If the debt isn’t helping you grow, it’s probably hurting you.”

Frazier said the first steps toward improving credit are often simple but require consistency: build a budget, cut unnecessary spending, start an emergency fund and use credit carefully. She also recommends keeping utilization low and paying on time, noting that even one late payment can significantly hurt a score.

“The first step I recommend is budgeting,” she said. “Know where your money is going, how much is coming in and going out, and cut unnecessary spending. Next, start saving toward an emergency fund that will be your safety net if something happens. Finally, start building credit.”

For entrepreneurs, Frazier said, personal credit can also shape access to business funding.

“Business and personal credit are completely different, but personal credit affects how much business credit you can qualify for,” she said. “Anyone with four years of credit, zero marks on their credit report, no late payments and fewer than five inquiries can get the loan they need. Many people don’t know that business credit exists, or that personal credit will fast-track you in the business space.”

Staying motivated while rebuilding credit is not always easy, especially when progress feels slow. Frazier said that is where delayed gratification becomes essential.

“I also teach an important aspect of my program: delayed gratification,” she said. “Don’t rush the process. Do it the right way so it benefits you in the long term. It’s not just about building credit, it’s also about building wealth.”

Beyond individual behavior, Frazier said the broader credit system still creates barriers for many consumers. She pointed to inaccurate reporting, outdated scoring models and the limited recognition of on-time rent and utility payments as ongoing problems.

“Accuracy needs to be taken more seriously,” she said. “Something you dispute shouldn’t be used against you while it’s being investigated. Medical bills shouldn’t affect your credit score or carry the same weight as other credit card payments.”

She also said consumers should receive more credit for consistently paying rent, utilities, and other bills on time, and should have more transparency and control when it comes to understanding and correcting their credit profiles.

For Frazier, financial literacy should start early and remain part of the conversation throughout life. She said parents and families can play a role in helping young people begin building healthy financial habits before adulthood.

“If parents have good credit and the option to add their teen or college student as an authorized user on their card, they can do that to help their kids start building their credit history,” she said. “Make the utilization low and don’t let the authorized user pay late.”

In Frazier’s view, improving credit is not about quick fixes. It requires education, discipline and a willingness to think long term. In a system where many people are left to figure things out on their own, she believes those habits can make the difference between staying stuck and building real financial leverage.

For many working Americans, financial hardship is not a matter of willpower, it is the reality of stagnant wages, rising costs, and a system that was never designed to build wealth for everyone.

Ashley M. Fox, founder and CEO of Empify and The WealthBuilders Community, believes the first barrier to financial freedom is not a paycheck, it is perspective. The entrepreneur is translating the wealth-building strategies she learned from her Wall Street career into accessible tools for the average investor. Through Empify, her Atlanta-based financial education platform, she has helped create more than 10,000 new investors across more than 20 countries, most of whom had never participated in the stock market before. The financial educator and investing expert recently spoke with Native Land Pod to discuss why shifting how people think about money may be the most important financial decision they ever make.

The foundation of wealth isn’t just money: it’s mindset

Building wealth is more than collecting large amounts of money and saving it for rainy days. The majority of wealth-building is tied to how people think about money.

“The biggest gap I saw on Wall Street between wealthy people and the everyday person is mindset,” Fox said. “Wealthy people operate with an ownership mindset. They know they will build, sustain, and protect wealth. That belief is already decided in their mind. They move with confidence and take action to match it because they embody the belief that they deserve wealth.”

She continued, “The everyday person, on the other hand, is often focused on bills, debt, and survival. They believe that’s what their life will always look like. It’s not that education doesn’t exist. It is that they’re not surrounded by it and don’t believe it’s meant for them.”

Environments and exposure shape financial outcomes

Once the mental shift occurs, the next transformation happens in one’s environment. When Fox took stock of her work on Wall Street, she observed and adapted a transferable wealth-building blueprint for communities that were never given access.

“Being in that environment made me feel I deserved this life and that it was attainable,” she said. “So I followed the blueprint of the wealthy. I went to the same places, opened multiple accounts, and invested the same way I saw them do it.”

Exposure to a different financial environment does not just teach new strategies. It reshapes what people believe they deserve.

“Every client I saw had a standard to invest because that’s the environment they’re in,” Fox said. “Exposing yourself to financial education exposes you to topics not always discussed. These clients may have started with more money than I, but I committed myself to building because I saw what was possible.”

Consistent habits will always last over quick wins

Building wealth has the same strategy as building new muscle: consistency. Like building muscle, there are moments of pain and questioning whether anything will be gained from the effort. Continually acting on new habits becomes a must to building wealth that lasts.

“Think of investing in your wealth as paying a bill,” Fox said. “Put a percent of your income aside every two weeks. Before you know it, it will become a habit. When you get more money, put more aside. Commit to that, and before you know it you have more money than you had before.”

Fox calls this strategy “paying yourself first.” The method is simple: before paying that bill or buying that item that contributes to someone else’s wealth, put money toward the most important investment there is: yourself.

“Take the money you save and invest it,” she said. “Make it a new habit, whether it is $5 or 10% of your income that you put aside. The amount doesn’t determine if you’re good enough; it shows your commitment to your financial journey.”

Personal responsibility is a must

The person who determines one’s wealth is not sitting in an office or speaking through a social media feed. That person is the one staring back from the mirror, charged with taking ownership and responsibility for getting financially literate, building investments, and staying consistent with the strategies they employ. People like Fox are available to help, but they are not the ones who can do it for you.

“No one is going to give you anything,” Fox said. “We can’t depend on the government, school system, or our families. You are responsible for getting financially educated, for breaking cycles of poverty, and shaping your family’s financial legacy.”

Like many others, she has been in a position where financial scarcity forced her to recalibrate and rebuild, and the clients with whom she has worked through Empify have faced the same.

“I have been the employee, the employer, the person with PTSD about possibly losing money and recovering from what I lost,” she said. “So I became the person who learned the rules of the game and did the work to change myself to make my life better. Why? Because I chose to believe in myself and the life that I deserve. Everyone is entitled to have the life that makes them happy and helps them progress, and believing in that is the key to the process.”

Building the habit

Getting started with investing is simpler than most people think. Fox says anyone can start with as little as $5. Accounts through Charles Schwab, Fidelity, Vanguard and E-Trade are platforms her clients have used to get started. Once open, the account connects directly to a checking account, allowing deposits and withdrawals as investment activity grows.

According to a Facebook post by Fox, Empify’s students have collectively invested over $16 million, with more than 80% of them first-time stock market participants. She attributes their success not just to the strategies they learn, but to their commitment to see them through.

“When I think about the people we’ve impacted, they have the empowerment to know they won’t stop until we hit the finish line because at the end of the day, nobody’s coming to save us,” Fox said. “If we don’t learn how to invest, who’s going to change your family’s financial legacy?”

Fox also cautioned against following voices that promise quick financial results. Before trusting anyone’s financial advice, she said, check their credentials and look for evidence that supports their claims. She noted that people who are building wealth responsibly tend to do so quietly rather than loudly.

The final step is making investing a habit. Staying consistent with setting money aside, keeping up with market trends, and paying attention to the moves made by businesses of interest are all part of the process. As Fox sees it, people are not just consumers—they are potential wealth builders, and that shift can begin today.

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From Senate battlegrounds to closely watched House races, these are some of the biggest primaries still ahead in 2026 and why they matter. This guide highlights prominent candidates in key races and is intended as an overview, not a comprehensive list of everyone on the ballot.

May includes a special Senate primary in Ohio and a closely watched Democratic runoff in Texas’ 18th Congressional District. Both contests will shape who moves on to key general-election matchups later this year.

Ohio: U.S. Senate (Special election cycle on May 5)

• Sherrod Brown (D)

  • Current/Previous Role: Former U.S. senator (2007–2025).

  • Takeaway: Running as a high-name recognition Democrat in a special-cycle Senate fight.

  • Why It Matters: The Democratic primary will decide who advances to the Nov. 3 special general election for Ohio’s open U.S. Senate seat.

• Ron Kincaid (D)

  • Current/Previous Role: Senate candidate; campaign highlights background in expanding autism care and Special Olympics volunteering.

  • Takeaway: Positions himself as “practical solutions” + health care access + reproductive rights + economic security.

  • Why It Matters: Positions himself as “practical solutions” + health care access + reproductive rights + economic security.

• Jon Husted (R) — interim appointee; candidacy widely reported but not fully verifiable here via FEC snapshot

  • Current/Previous Role: Appointed to the U.S. Senate seat vacated in 2025, previously the Ohio lieutenant governor.

  • Takeaway: Runs as the GOP’s incumbent-by-appointment figure, seeking to keep the seat in Republican hands.

  • Why It Matters: The Republican primary will determine who advances to the special general election for the unexpired Senate term.

• Gregory Levy (I)

  • Current/Previous Role: Independent Senate candidate

  • Takeaway: Independent candidacy; campaign themes not verified here beyond candidate listing.

  • Why It Matters: Ohio’s special-election process allows independent candidates to compete in the race to fill the vacant Senate seat.

• Stephen Faris

  • Current/Previous Role: FEC-listed Senate candidate running as a write-in focused on abortion as a single issue.

  • Takeaway: Single-issue anti-abortion write-in campaign messaging.

  • Why It Matters: Ohio’s special-election process also allows write-in candidates in the race for the vacant Senate seat.

Texas: U.S. House District 18 (Democratic runoff - May 26)

• Christian Menefee (D)

  • Current/Previous Role: U.S. representative (won a special election; sworn in Feb. 2, 2026).

  • Takeaway: Frames runoff as moving the district “to the future,” and says he’ll focus on delivering results despite redistricting-driven chaos.

  • Why It Matters: The May 26 runoff will decide which Democrat advances to the November general election in Texas’ 18th Congressional District.

• Al Green (D)

  • Current/Previous Role: Longtime U.S. representative; emphasizes his congressional record.

  • Takeaway: Runs on “what I have done,” contrasting experience vs. challenger’s future promises.

  • Why It Matters: The runoff will determine the Democratic nominee after neither candidate won a majority in the March primary.

June features one of the busiest stretches left on the primary calendar, including California’s crowded governor’s race and Maine’s U.S. Senate primary. These contests will help shape the field in several closely watched November races.

California Governor (June 2)

• Xavier Becerra (D)

  • Current/Previous Role: Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary; listed as a gubernatorial candidate on CA’s official notice.

  • Takeaway: Positioned as a veteran public official in a crowded Democratic field.

  • Why It Matters: California’s top-two system means all candidates appear on one ballot, and only the two highest vote-getters advance to November.

• Matt Mahan (D)

  • Current/Previous Role: Mayor of San Jose; entered the race as a Democrat.

  • Takeaway: Campaign messaging emphasizes pragmatism, housing and homelessness policy, and cutting “toxic politics.”

  • Why It Matters: In a crowded field, each major candidate could affect which two contenders move on under California’s top-two rules.

• Katie Porter (D)

  • Current/Previous Role: Former U.S. representative; listed on the official CA candidate notice.

  • Takeaway: Runs as a consumer-protection-focused Democrat with an accountability/oversight brand.

  • Why It Matters: Her performance could shape whether Democrats consolidate behind fewer candidates or remain split across the field.

• Tom Steyer (D)

  • Current/Previous Role: Businessman and climate activist; entered the race emphasizing affordability.

  • Takeaway: The campaign says affordability is the “No. 1 issue” and promises include major pushes on housing and energy costs.

  • Why It Matters: California’s top-two system makes vote distribution especially important in a crowded race with multiple well-known Democrats.

• Antonio Villaraigosa (D)

  • Current/Previous Role: Former Los Angeles mayor and former speaker of the California State Assembly.

  • Takeaway: Villaraigosa is running on executive and legislative experience, with a campaign focused on affordability, public safety, and housing.

  • Why It Matters: His candidacy adds another major Democrat to the field in a race where the top two finishers advance, regardless of party.

• Chad Bianco (R)

  • Current/Previous Role: Riverside County sheriff; first major Republican to announce in the cycle.

  • Takeaway: Campaign centers on law-and-order and critiques of Democratic governance.

  • Why It Matters: A Republican contender could advance under California’s top-two system depending on how votes split across the field.

• Steve Hilton (R)

  • Current/Previous Role: Former Fox News personality and political adviser; listed on CA’s official notice.

  • Takeaway: GOP candidate pitching a broad “make California” message; campaign focus commonly framed around crime and taxes.

  • Why It Matters: With two prominent Republicans in the race, the top-two outcome could be shaped by how Republican voters divide their support.

Maine: U.S. Senate (June 9)

• Janet Mills (D)

  • Current/Previous Role: Maine governor; entered the Senate race after months of speculation.

  • Takeaway: The campaign frames a bid around confronting the Trump agenda and addressing costs and rights.

  • Why It Matters: Maine’s June 9 primary will determine who advances as the Democratic nominee in one of the cycle’s Senate races.

• Graham Platner (D)

  • Current/Previous Role: First-time candidate: Marine and Army veteran turned oyster farmer/harbor master (coverage varies).

  • Takeaway: Populist, anti-establishment campaign emphasizing affordability (housing/health care) and grassroots organizing.

  • Why It Matters: The Democratic primary will decide who moves on to challenge Sen. Susan Collins in November.

• Susan Collins (R)

  • Current/Previous Role: Incumbent U.S. senator; launched reelection bid with messaging about “experience and independence.”

  • Takeaway: Reelection pitch emphasizes bipartisan results and independence branding.

  • Why It Matters: Collins is seeking another term, and the primary will determine which Democrat advances to face her in the general election.

August shifts the focus to open-seat Senate contests in Michigan and Minnesota. With no incumbent on the ballot in either race, both primaries will help determine each party’s positioning heading into the fall.

Michigan: U.S. Senate (Aug. 4)

• Haley Stevens (D)

  • Current/Previous Role: U.S. representative; announced she would run for Senate rather than another House term.

  • Takeaway: Launch messaging emphasizes economic competitiveness and the impact of tariffs/costs on Michigan.

  • Why It Matters: Michigan’s Senate race is open because Sen. Gary Peters is not seeking re-election, making the primary a key step toward November.

• Mallory McMorrow (D)

  • Current/Previous Role: Michigan state senator; announced for the open U.S. Senate seat.

  • Takeaway: Campaign message stresses generational change and a sharper Democratic resistance strategy.

  • Why It Matters: This primary is part of the contest to fill an open U.S. Senate seat in Michigan.

• Abdul El-Sayed (D)

  • Current/Previous Role: Former Michigan public health official; previously a Democratic candidate for governor.

  • Takeaway: People-first platform framing government as working for Michiganders, not for itself.

  • Why It Matters: The Democratic primary will help determine who advances in an open Senate seat race in Michigan.

• Mike Rogers (R)

  • Current/Previous Role: Former U.S. representative; worked as a CNN commentator; running for Senate.

  • Takeaway: GOP campaign messaging highlights skilled trades, lowering costs, and national security themes.

  • Why It Matters: Republicans are competing for the chance to contest an open Senate seat in Michigan in November.

Minnesota: U.S. Senate (Aug. 11)

• Angie Craig (D)

  • Current/Previous Role: U.S. representative; launched Senate campaign for an open seat.

  • Takeaway: Campaign positioning emphasizes electability and kitchen-table issues in a statewide race.

  • Why It Matters: Minnesota’s Senate race is open because Sen. Tina Smith is not seeking re-election.

• Peggy Flanagan (D)

  • Current/Previous Role: Minnesota lieutenant governor.

  • Takeaway: Early messaging highlights pro-worker framing and anti–big money themes (varies by outlet and campaign materials).

  • Why It Matters: This primary is part of the contest to fill Minnesota’s open U.S. Senate seat.

September closes out this stretch of the primary calendar with Senate contests in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Both races will decide who advances in states that could draw national attention for different reasons in November.

Massachusetts: U.S. Senate (Sept. 1)

• Ed Markey (D)

  • Current/Previous Role: Incumbent U.S. senator

  • Takeaway: Campaign messaging (via campaign manager) emphasizes standing up to the Trump administration, protecting health care, and defending abortion rights.

  • Why It Matters: Massachusetts’ Sept. 1 primary will determine whether Markey advances as the Democratic nominee for another Senate term.

• Seth Moulton (D)

  • Current/Previous Role: U.S. representative; running for Senate rather than another House term.

  • Takeaway: Primary bid frames “new leadership” as the core argument, including explicit age/leadership critique.

  • Why It Matters: The Democratic primary will decide whether Moulton or Markey advances in this Senate race.

• John Deaton (R)

  • Current/Previous Role: Trial attorney; U.S. Marine veteran (per campaign and outlet descriptions).

  • Takeaway: GOP pitch emphasizes change and attacks the Democratic incumbent’s visibility/record.

  • Why It Matters: The Republican primary will determine who advances to the general election in Massachusetts’ Senate contest.

New Hampshire: U.S. Senate (Sept. 8)

• Chris Pappas (D)

  • Current/Previous Role: U.S. representative; running for U.S. Senate (not House reelection).

  • Takeaway: Launch framed as a bid to succeed a retiring Democrat in a high-profile open-seat contest.

  • New Hampshire’s Senate race is open because Sen. Jeanne Shaheen is not seeking re-election.

• Karishma Manzur (D)

  • Current/Previous Role: First-time candidate; NHPR describes her as a scientist and progressive volunteer organizer.

  • Takeaway: Campaign branding emphasizes pro-worker themes and anti-billionaire influence framing.

  • Why It Matters: The Democratic primary will determine who advances in New Hampshire’s open-seat Senate race.

• Scott Brown (R)

  • Current/Previous Role: Former U.S. senator (Massachusetts) and former U.S. ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa.

  • Takeaway: GOP launch messaging emphasizes border security and “common sense” positioning.

  • Why It Matters: The Republican primary will decide who advances in New Hampshire’s open-seat Senate contest.

• John E. Sununu (R)

  • Current/Previous Role: Former U.S. senator from New Hampshire.

  • Takeaway: Positioning as a former officeholder re-entering a high-profile open-seat contest.

  • Why It Matters: His candidacy adds another former officeholder to the Republican primary for New Hampshire’s open Senate seat.

Bravo TV’s Married to Medicine star Dr. Heavenly Kimes has spent more than 25 years serving Georgia’s 13th Congressional District as a community member, long before politics entered her plans. She is running in the May 19 Democratic primary against 12-term incumbent U.S. Rep. David Scott, and her case is straightforward: the district has real problems, and its congressman has been nowhere to be found.

When Kimes announced her candidacy for the Georgia House of Representatives (State Representative), District 93, in July 2025, the news went viral. The internet responded as it typically does to a reality TV star entering politics, with plenty of opinions. While critics were busy debating whether her TV persona and ballots could coexist, her campaign was knocking on thousands of doors. The constituents she found on the other side weren’t thinking about her being on TV. They were thinking about whether they could afford their prescriptions, get to work without a car, or keep the lights on in the community they’ve called home for decades. She recently sat down with Native Land Pod to discuss why she should be the next Representative for Georgia residents and her plans if she wins the election.

Serving the District Before the Campaign

Last July, Rep. David Scott voted against the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” saying in a statement it was “because it will transfer over $4.5 trillion in tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans at the expense of working families, children, veterans, and seniors across Georgia.” Despite his stance on the bill, Kimes felt her opponent didn’t do enough as a constituent, so she stopped waiting for someone else to speak up and pivoted to run for his seat.

“A congressman is supposed to be the voice of the people, and you can’t be the voice of the people if the people haven’t seen you,” the candidate told Native Land Pod. “I’m a voice like never before for District 13.”

Her dental outreach initiative took her practice directly into the communities she serves, and what she found confirmed what no policy paper could capture.

“Lines down the street, people with lawn chairs, waiting for dental treatment, free exams, free X-rays, but mainly they wanted to get out of pain, extractions,” she said. “This is a problem within our community, and nobody acts as if they care. They either don’t know, they don’t show, or they don’t care.”

The displacement happening across District 13 has a name, and Kimes has a number for it too.

“Big corporations are coming in and buying up homes, and then they’re renting them back to people who cannot afford to live where they work. We’re gonna make a tax so you can no longer buy properties if you’re not in a single-family home,” the 55-year-old said. “We’re gonna set a limit so that certain corporations cannot buy all these properties. If you put tax restrictions in there, they’ll no longer come in here and buy properties.”

During a government shutdown, federal workers in the district weren’t asking for back pay. They were asking for gas cards.

“The issue wasn’t that they did not wanna work. They were saying they could not get to work. They did not have childcare. They could not pay their bills. They did not have gas to get there,” Kimes said.

A Personal Fight Made Political

A tour of a DeKalb County correctional facility put the crisis into numbers she has not stopped citing since: “71% of the inmates are Black men have mental health problems. The first thing we have to do is make sure we screen people so we know what we’re dealing with. But not only that, a lot of them are there for two to four years waiting on their trial.”

For Kimes, the issue is not abstract. Her son’s mental health struggles, which played out publicly on the latest season of Married to Medicine, became the moment that turned personal pain into political purpose. She told Native Land Pod that when she began speaking openly about what her family was going through, the response was immediate.

“Every woman I talked to had someone in their close family with a mental health problem. Their son, their nephew, their brother, their cousin, their husbands,” she said.

The system, Kimes said, failed her son the way it fails countless others. His medical insurance was exhausted, and he was discharged from care once he turned 21, leaving her with no legal standing to intervene.

“I have real experiences. This is personal to me, where my son has mental health challenges, and he’s not able to keep his medical insurance,” the Florida A&M University alumna said.

She has a solution and the math to back it up.

“It costs them $20 to $30 a day to keep them there. In a crisis center, it’ll be $5 to $7 a day. I’d already saved y’all some money,” Kimes said.

Before a child can learn, she argues, they need stability. And before stability comes everything else.

“These kids are not slow, they just are not in stable environments where they can actually excel in school. Not only is a four-year degree important, but that’s not the only path to success,” she noted. “Apprenticeships and clean energy jobs are so important.”

She is not approaching the social safety net as a concept. She knows firsthand how government assistance can be a saving grace for families.

“Fair concern, and worth addressing directly.

The full quote is:

“Not only have I been through the systems with the Title I and the free lunch, sometimes that was the only meal I got in a day. Not only have I been on the WIC ‘cause I got pregnant while I was in school, but I also got the food stamps, and I don’t think it’s a handout,” she said. “I think it was a lifeline for me ‘cause me and my husband were both in medical school when this happened,” the Miami native explained. “But the main thing is that I can see both sides of it.”

Respect Is Not the Same as Representation

Kimes’ argument is not about who Rep. Scott is. It is about who has been showing up for District 13.

“I have a lot of respect for the man. The man has been in the game for over 50 years, and he’s been in this seat for over 21 years,” she said.

Still, she draws a clear line.

“He’s not being seen. He’s not doing the job. When the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ happened, we never heard anything from him. I’ve never seen him. He’s not doing town halls,” Kimes said. “People are dying. People are hungry. People are discouraged. They need some hope.”

Voters in Georgia’s 13th Congressional District can register to vote through April 20. Early voting begins April 27. Election Day is May 19.

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Every voice you hear on Native Land Pod, every story that makes it to your screen, every conversation that sparks something in you starts with the work of Black women. This Black Women's History Month, before we publish a single headline, we wanted you to meet the women who make this platform go. Not their resumes. Not their titles. Them. These are the women who show up every day to build something that matters, and we think you should know their faces and names. So here they are. The women behind NLP.

and send to @nativelandpod.

We are 222 days away from the midterm elections. Welcome home y’all!

Contents:
00:00:00 Start
00:02:56 FYSA Headlines
00:24:21 Airport Delays, Project 2025, and the Midterms
00:34:12 CA Gubanatorial Candidate Seizes Ballots
00:42:49 SCOTUS Hears Argument to Limit Mail-in Ballots
00:52:25 March Madness Brackets
00:59:30 CTAs
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Angela Rye as host, executive producer, and cofounder of Reasoned Choice Media; Andrew Gillum as host and producer, Bakari Sellers as host and producer, and Lauren Hansen as executive producer; LoLo Mychael is our research producer, and Nikolas Harter is our editor and producer. Special thanks to Chris Morrow and Lenard McKelvey, co-founders of Reasoned Choice Media.

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As always, we want to hear from you. Send us a video @nativelandpod and we may feature you on the podcast.

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Thank you to the Native Land Pod team:

Angela Rye as host, executive producer, and cofounder of Reasoned Choice Media; Andrew Gillum as host and producer, Bakari Sellers as host and producer, and Lauren Hansen as executive producer; LoLo Smith is our research producer, and Nikolas Harter is our editor and producer. Special thanks to Chris Morrow and Lenard McKelvey, co-founders of Reasoned Choice Media.

Theme music created by Daniel Laurent. https://www.daniellaurent.com

Spotify:

Thank you to the Native Land Pod team:

Angela Rye as host, executive producer, and cofounder of Reasoned Choice Media; Andrew Gillum as host and producer, Bakari Sellers as host and producer, and Lauren Hansen as executive producer; LoLo Smith is our research producer, and Nikolas Harter is our editor and producer. Special thanks to Chris Morrow and Lenard McKelvey, co-founders of Reasoned Choice Media.

Theme music created by Daniel Laurent. https://www.daniellaurent.com

Kash Patel’s Custom Nikes: https://www.the-express.com/sport/mma/202454/kash-patel-K-H-shoes-fbi-seminar-ufc

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and send to @nativelandpod.

We are 229 days away from the midterm elections. Welcome home y’all!

Contents:
00:00:00 Start
00:02:52 FYSA Headlines
00:12:15 Jack Harlow Mocked for R&B Album
00:22:50 Chaos in D.C. Mayoral Race
00:30:20 Illinois Primary Results
00:39:45 Trump's War on the Media
00:53:20 The "Donroe" Doctrine, Trump-style Imperialism
01:05:20 New DHS Secretary Grilled in Congress
01:11:05 CTAs
—---------


As always, we want to hear from you. Send us a video @nativelandpod and we may feature you on the podcast.

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Presented by Republicans as a bill to protect against non-citizens voting, the SAVE Act would disenfranchise tens of millions of Americans of their right to vote by adding additional requirements to register, like providing a birth certificate. It’s a xenophobic reinterpretation of so-called “Voter ID” laws which conservatives have pushed for decades to reduce the voting power of mostly poor and minority communities. They believe that high voter turnout in elections benefits Democrats.

The Senate is debating the SAVE act today, it’s already passed through the House.

Mandatory Disclaimer: there is no evidence of non-citizens voting at a scale large enough to impact U.S. elections.

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Welcome home y’all!

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As always, we want to hear from you. Send us a video @nativelandpod and we may feature you on the podcast.

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Subscribe and listen to new episodes of Native Land Pod every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts:
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Spotify:

Thank you to the Native Land Pod team:

Angela Rye as host, executive producer, and cofounder of Reasoned Choice Media; Andrew Gillum as host and producer, Bakari Sellers as host and producer, and Lauren Hansen as executive producer; LoLo Smith is our research producer, and Nikolas Harter is our editor and producer. Special thanks to Chris Morrow and Lenard McKelvey, co-founders of Reasoned Choice Media.

Theme music created by Daniel Laurent. https://www.daniellaurent.com

You already know the Native Land Pod Substack as the home of the podcast, and now we are expanding what this platform can be. Today marks the launch of our editorial operation, our written home for politics, cultural commentary, and original reporting. What started as a podcast conversation has grown into something bigger, and this is where that growth lives. Every week, our team of writers, editors, and producers will bring you analysis, perspective, and stories that reflect our community and resonate far beyond it. We cover domestic politics, international affairs, culture, and the issues driving the national conversation. Our commitment is simple: show up every week with work that is accurate, thoughtful, and built for those who are paying attention.

And behind every great publication is a great team. Here’s ours.

Editorial Leadership

LoLo Smith is the Executive Producer of the Native Land Pod Substack and Senior Producer for NLP, LoLo Smith shapes the platform's content, voice, and strategy, turning complex political conversations into things people can actually understand and act on. She helps impact-driven organizations figure out what they're building, who they should be working with, and how to grow without losing their mission, across media, NGOs, nonprofits, policy, politics, and impact work. She is also the founder of AndUs, a strategy and impact firm where she designs initiatives, partnerships, and solutions that move communities forward. Before returning to school to study law and international policy, she founded the Urban Launch School and co-founded the Urban Business Development Center, spending six years raising hundreds of thousands of dollars and providing microgrants to minority and underserved entrepreneurs. On this Substack, you will find her in the editorial seat and occasionally in her own words, sharing insights and personal booksbook and reading recommendations.

Aria Bell is a communications strategist, journalist, and storyteller with over a decade of experience at FOX TV Stations, The Dallas Morning News, AT&T Corporate, Blavity, and REVOLT TV. A graduate of the Frank & Sue Mayborn School of Journalism at the University of North Texas, she has led campaigns ranging from AT&T’s 5G network activations with the NBA and WNBA to product launches with Apple, Google, and Microsoft. She is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and mentors with Black Girls in Media, she is as invested in building the next generation of storytellers as well as her craft. As Editor-in-Chief of the Native Land Pod Substack, she brings her full expertise to the table.

Contributing Writers

is a Houston-based criminal defense lawyer and alumnus of Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. His legal career spans tax law, election law advocacy in Florida, and criminal defense, where he currently serves clients at Dunham & Jones. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Houston Lawyers’ Association, and volunteers as a pro bono attorney with the Texas Fair Defense Project. Outside the courtroom, Derrick is a community organizer passionate about criminal justice advocacy.

is a communications professional, designer, and civic leader committed to advancing justice and equity. Through his work at the Mississippi Center for Justice and his leadership within the African Methodist Episcopal Church, he drives voter engagement and civic advocacy. He uses storytelling, strategy, and service to empower communities and drive meaningful change.

Kelcey Morrow is a San Antonio native and Dallas-based public school educator. A 2019 graduate of Baylor University and 2023 graduate of Prairie View A&M University, her passions center on educational equity for Black and Brown scholars, literacy for liberation, and Black culture, history, and lifestyle. Beyond the classroom, she is active in community and service organizations and nurtures her creative outlets in her spare time.

Kayla White is an educator, advocate, and researcher committed to expanding access to quality education. Currently working in higher education, she focuses on policy analysis, community engagement, and building pathways that connect learners to opportunity at every stage of life.

Got a pitch? Send it our way: substack@nativelandpod.com

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Spotify:

Thank you to the Native Land Pod team:

Angela Rye as host, executive producer, and cofounder of Reasoned Choice Media; Andrew Gillum as host and producer, Bakari Sellers as host and producer, and Lauren Hansen as executive producer; LoLo Smith is our research producer, and Nikolas Harter is our editor and producer. Special thanks to Chris Morrow and Lenard McKelvey, co-founders of Reasoned Choice Media.

Theme music created by Daniel Laurent. https://www.daniellaurent.com